No such thing as "too much frogspawn in my pond"

Neurergus kaiseri 22.02.09

Today I moved my group of juvenile Neurergus kaiseri from the semi-aquatic vivarium they have been in for the past two months back into a terrestrial setup:

This group was from my first breeding of this species in 2007, so they are currently around 20 months old and approximately 95mm long, so not yet full grown. I felt it was worth attempting to breed them, so I cooled them off between 5.10.08 and 14.12.08 then placed them in a semi-aquatic setup. Although they became aquatic and diurnal, there has been no spawning, not altogether surprising since they still have some growing to do. The good news is that they have had their first winter dormancy period, and I'm sure this will be good for their long term health and breeding prospects. I'll try again with this group next year. In the meantime, my adult pair will be moved into the semi-aquatic setup on 1st March, so fingers crossed that breeding will be as successful as in previous years!


See also:

• Neurergus kaiseri archive

Toads in space (sorta)

Hundreds of "toad crossings" across the UK have been mapped using up-to-the-minute satellite technology in a bid to cut the number killed by motorists, a conservation charity said. Froglife, which helps the conservation of amphibians and reptiles, has mapped 700 crossings using a specially-developed Google Earth application. It is hoped that satellite map will help conservationists and volunteers find out more about where amphibians are killed on roads on their migration to breeding ponds in spring.

The new software will help members of the public find out where frogs and toads cross local roads, as well as whether a "crossing" is active. They will also be able to use it to find out where they can help with volunteer "toad patrols", as well as updating Froglife's records and reporting new toad crossings.

Conservationists at Froglife also hope that the Google Earth application will be useful for the planning sector, and will allow highways officials to find out more about amphibian populations around the UK's roads. Toad numbers have declined in many areas of England, thought to be due to the effect of road traffic during the breeding season and loss of breeding ponds. It is also thought the common toad, which was listed as a threatened species in 2007, suffers dangers of high kerbs which steer them towards drains where they are trapped and die.

Jules Howard, from Froglife, said: "Google Earth software is allowing wildlife experts to use new creative ways to communicate important conservation issues to an increasingly techno-savvy public. "We're delighted that more people can get involved in the Toads on Roads campaign by using this free software."

One door closes, another one opens

Back in January I wrote about my plans to slim down (but not get rid of), my amphibian collection during the course of this year. (I don't like the word "collection" particularly, but I'm struggling to find an alternative.)

Last weekend I sold another vivarium, and consequently this week has been a bit of a downer, although I'm already starting to feel less like I'm on a treadmill. The good news is that I don't plan to get rid of any more vivaria, and I will be in the market for a few carefully selected frogs soon.

And today, I met with a new frogger who lives near me and was able to give them some food cultures. It felt good, like a beginning rather than an ending. The snow has nearly melted, Spring is on the way and the newts will be spawning soon. Maybe life isn't so bad after all :-)

Tree Walkers International has a new website

Tree Walkers International, the charity dedicated to the preservation of the world’s declining amphibian populations, has launched a revamped website:

Although much of the content and layout is still the same, there are a few differences to the online discussion forums, which are open to all TWI members, a TWI Update and easily accessed version of the TWI Newsletter which is released on a regular basis, keeping you updated on various events and announcements.
The Leaf Litter tab, which is an archive of past and present issues of the TWI member magazine available for download (which previously could only be accessed through the forums).

Well worth checking out!

Thanks Guys!

The nice folks at Virgin Media deleted my old website - without telling me. To be honest, I've been wondering what to do with this site since it's not so out of date, but I was surprised and delighted at the number of people who contacted me and asked if it could come back.

And now it has :-)

Salamander declines in Central America

Salamander losses in Mexico, Guatemala cause worry via kwout

Want to cure cancer? Look after the frogs

Tadpoles may hold cancer clue via kwout